Entity: Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC) – College of Agriculture and Environmental Science (CAES), University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P)

Host institution:

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution dedicated to research and innovation in Africa, aiming to position itself among world-renowned universities in its fields. The University is engaged in economic and human development, placing research and innovation at the forefront of African development. This strategy enables it to consolidate Morocco's leading position in these fields through a unique partnership-based approach and by boosting skills training relevant to Africa's future. Located in Benguerir, in the heart of the Green City, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University aspires to make a significant impact nationally, continentally, and globally.

Description:

The Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre (AITTC) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is currently seeking applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher position. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a capacity for transdisciplinary research and an understanding of sustainable land management, particularly how soil physics can contribute to soil conservation and the development of techniques to reduce soil erosion and degradation. Previous experience in collaborative research teams that synthesize knowledge from diverse fields will be beneficial for this role.

The selected postdoctoral researcher should be well-versed in soil conservation discussions and able to communicate effectively with scientists in related fields. A willingness to integrate perspectives from multiple scientific domains is highly desirable. If you are passionate about contributing to impactful soil conservation solutions and possess the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

The Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC) is part of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES), dedicated to providing high-quality research and services in agronomy, soil fertility, land rehabilitation, and environmental management for the benefit of Moroccan and African agriculture. The AITTC is actively engaged in researching various topics, including:

• Marginal Land Rehabilitation
• Best Management Practices
• Species Conservation and Introduction
• Agricultural Systems Development
• Small Mechanization and Digital Farming
• By-product Valorization and Carbon Sequestration
• Conservation Agriculture and Agroforestry
• Soil Physics for Sustainable Land Management

Primary duties and responsibilities:

The successful candidate will conduct a comprehensive review of soil degradation resulting from erosion in agricultural cropping systems across Africa. The primary goal is to identify tipping points of soil erosion in Africa and propose enhancements in cropping systems to mitigate erosion caused by wind and water. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to develop methodologies and protocols for assessing soil erosion and soil health in African soils, using novel technologies and employing a transdisciplinary approach to understand how to control soil erosion and land degradation in the context of climate change.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting a comprehensive review of soil degradation caused by soil erosion in agricultural production systems across Africa.
• Identifying tipping points of soil erosion in African soils and suggesting improvements in cropping systems (such as Nature-based solutions, Conservation Agriculture, Agroforestry, Regenerative Agriculture, and Agroecology) to reduce erosion by wind and water.
• Developing methods and protocols to evaluate soil erosion and soil health in African soils using a transdisciplinary approach.
• Applying new technologies to evaluate soil erosion and soil physical properties.
• Conducting trials to evaluate soil erosion and soil physical properties in laboratory and field settings in different cropping systems.
• Participating in interdisciplinary research team activities at AITTC and CAES.
• Writing grant proposals aimed at securing funding for projects related to Soil and Water Conservation.
• Participating in the training and supervision of visitors, interns, graduate students, undergraduate students, and volunteer workers as needed.
• Writing reports for research projects.
• Writing manuscripts and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

Criteria of the candidate:

• PhD in Soil Science and Agronomy
• Background in agronomy, water management, forestry, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, or related areas.
• Strong experience in conducting soil erosion research in laboratory and field settings.
• Excellent knowledge of new technologies in soil erosion and soil physics, including analyzing soil structure through X-ray Computed Tomography and conducting soil surface modeling using laser scanning.
• Demonstrated capacity for transdisciplinary research.
• Strong publication record in leading international journals.
• Good communication skills, including a demonstrated record of presentations to professional organizations and participation in distinguished events and congresses in soil science and soil erosion.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, French, and Arabic.
• Aptitude for teamwork, problem-solving, and collaborative work.
• Dynamic, self-reliant, and proactive.